Kempe scores twice in 2nd period as Kings beat Lightning 2-1 to snap 4-game skid

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Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates with the bench, including defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) looks to shoot between Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and defenseman Declan Carlile (67) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) — Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates with the bench, including defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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10:03 PM on Thursday, December 18, 2025

The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adrian Kempe scored twice in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Thursday night.

Anton forsberg stopped 31 shots to help the Kings snap a four-game skid (0-2-2) and get just their third win in nine games (3-4-2).

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored for the Lightning and Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 18 saves. Tampa Bay has lost three straight (0-2-1) and seven of its last nine (2-6-1).

The Lightning outshot the Kings 13-3 in the third period, but couldn't get the tying goal past Forsberg.

Bjorkstrand gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead with 7:06 remaining in the first period with a power-play goal, knocking in the rebound through Forsberg's pads after the goalie stopped his initial attempt.

Kempe then scored twice 10 1/2 minutes apart in the second to put the Kings ahead. First, he beat Vasilevskiy from between the circles at 5:21 to tie it. Then, he put a backhander past the goalie from the right side on a breakaway with 4:02 remaining in the period with his team-leading 13th for a 2-1 lead with 4:02 left in the period.

Up next

Kings: Host Columbus on Monday night to open a three-game homestand.

Lightning: Host Carolina on Saturday.

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https://www.apnews.com/NHL